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World – Yellow fever vaccination booster

5 June 2014 -Currently, the IHR stipulate that vaccination with an approved yellow fever vaccine provides protection against infection for 10 years, and that the certificate of vaccination or re-vaccination is accordingly valid for 10 years. Requiring the certificate from travellers is at the discretion of each State Party, and it is not currently required by all countries ( see country list, 2014 update: http://www.who.int/ith/ITH_country_list.pdf)

The WHO World Health Assembly in May 2014 adopted an amendment to Annex 7 of the International Health Regulations (2005) (IHR), which stipulates that the period of protection afforded by yellow fever vaccination, and the term of validity of the certificate will change from 10 years to the duration of the life of the person vaccinated.

This change will enter into force legally in June 2016. Until then the current IHR text on yellow fever vaccination and certificates continues to apply, and some countries may continue to request proof of vaccination or a booster within the last 10 years from travellers.

Starting with the online 2015 ITH edition, WHO will report on the status of yellow fever vaccination requirements for countries.